Melissa Tully online EMDR therapist - standing next to water in riding boots on a fall day.

Break Free From the Past

Work With a Licensed EMDR Therapist: Serving Virginia

53 minutes | Weekly sessions | $200

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy heals painful memories that keep replaying in your mind and body. As a licensed EMDR therapist offering therapy in Virginia, I guide you through this evidence-based process to safely release trauma. EMDR allows your brain to create new neural pathways for healing as it restore resilience. You’ll discover the deep relief that comes when old wounds finally lose their power over you.

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It All Started With a
Walk in the Park

EMDR was developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro, who originally used it to treat her own anxiety symptoms. While walking in a park, she discovered that specific eye movements reduced the intensity of disturbing thoughts she was having. After decades of research, EMDR is now recognized as a top evidence-based trauma treatment by major health organizations worldwide that treats a wide number of diagnoses.

The 8 Stages of EMDR Therapy

With the help of an EMDR therapist, your brain can learn to process difficult memories in a new way, so they no longer have a negative impact on your life. Learn more about the benefits of EMDR therapy by visiting EMDRIA.

There are 8 stages of EMDR Counseling:

History & Planning.
We discuss what brings you to therapy and identify which memories you want to work on.
Preparation.
I explain how EMDR works and teach you techniques to help manage any uncomfortable feelings that might come up.
Assessment.
We identify a specific memory to work on, along with the images, beliefs, and feelings connected to it, establishing baseline measurements of your distress.
Desensitization.
This is where the magic happens. While focusing on the memory, you use eye movements, sounds, or taps. This helps your brain process the memory in a different way, lessening the distress and allowing new thoughts and feelings to emerge.
Installation.
After working through difficult emotions, a positive belief about yourself related to the memory is reinforced. An example is shifting from “I am helpless” to “I am strong now.”
Body Scan.
You scan your body from head to toe while thinking about the memory and positive belief, addressing any remaining physical tension or disturbance.
Closure.
The session ends by helping you return to a calm, present state.
Reevaluation.
Each new session begins by checking that previously processed memories remain clear, while planning next steps in your treatment.

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Stories of Breakthrough

“What a transformative session. Thank you! Trusting this and feeling full of gratitude. Energy with my precious partner transformed. Most beautiful is connection to self and spirit. Feel home.”
Stories of Breakthrough

“Working with you is magic—things always move with my job search after our appointments.”
Stories of Breakthrough

“I felt numb inside for years. I can't believe I can feel companionship. I can feel safety. I could weep now.”

Online EMDR Therapist:
Your Questions Answered

Dr. Francine Shapiro created EMDR in 1987 following a personal observation during a stroll through a park. She noticed that rapid eye movements naturally diminished the emotional charge of troubling thoughts she was experiencing. Intrigued by this discovery, Dr. Shapiro—then a psychology graduate student—researched the phenomenon and developed a structured therapeutic approach. Today, EMDR stands as one of the most rigorously studied trauma therapies, with endorsements from leading mental health organizations globally. To learn more, visit the EMDR International Association’s website.
EMDR International Association
EMDR tools are designed to create bilateral stimulation, which helps your brain process traumatic memories naturally. The most common tool is simple eye movement—where I move my finger back and forth across your visual field while you follow it with your eyes, similar to watching a slow pendulum.
Your online EMDR therapist may also use handheld pulsers that gently vibrate alternately in each hand, or audio equipment that delivers sounds alternating between your left and right ears through headphones. Some therapists use light bars with moving dots, or even simple techniques like alternating knee taps.
These tools are simply ways to engage both sides of your brain while you focus on processing difficult memories. We’ll discuss which EMDR tools feel most comfortable for you during our preparation phase.
EMDR for anxiety disorders addresses anxiety at its source by targeting the unprocessed memories and experiences that fuel your ongoing worry and fear. Many anxiety symptoms stem from past events your nervous system hasn’t fully resolved. Through EMDR, we reprocess these underlying memories, which typically leads to significant anxiety reduction. As old emotional charges fade, you’ll likely experience less reactivity to triggers, better emotional balance, and greater calm in previously anxiety-provoking situations. EMDR breaks the cycle where your past continues to create present-moment distress.
To find the right EMDR therapist online, here are some questions to ask:
- What specific EMDR training have you completed and are you EMDRIA certified?
- How long have you been practicing EMDR, and how many clients have you worked with?
- What types of trauma or issues do you specialize in treating with EMDR?
- Can you explain your approach and what a typical EMDR session looks like?
- How do you help clients feel safe and prepared before processing traumatic memories?
- What happens if I become overwhelmed during a session?
The best EMDR therapist online is one who makes you feel genuinely understood and safe.
Everything discussed during our sessions is completely private. According to Virginia state law, all communication between a client and EMDR coach is protected. Nothing can be shared without your written authorization.
There are only three specific circumstances where confidentiality may not apply. These reasons are purely for safety purposes:
- Suspected harm to minors or seniors: Legal obligations require reporting potential abuse situations to protective services.
- Danger to third parties: When clients express intentions to cause significant harm to others, authorities must be contacted.
- Self-harm concerns: Should you indicate plans for personal injury, we’ll develop safety strategies together and potentially engage emergency resources as needed.
Like most specialists, I am considered an OON provider.
- Out-of-network clients: Sessions are $200, paid at the time of service. I’ll provide detailed superbills monthly that you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement.
Please reach out to your insurance provider to understand your mental health benefits and coverage options.